15 Comments

  1. From the article: New research conducted in the United Kingdom found that multi-partner relationships are generally less desirable than singleness and monogamy. However, the study found that men are six times more likely than women to be open to polygynous relationships, which involve one man with multiple female partners. Among the least desired relationship types was two-timing, where one person has two partners who are unaware of each other. The paper was published in [Archives of Sexual Behavior](https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10508-023-02749-6).

    Polygamy is a marriage practice where an individual has more than one spouse simultaneously. This practice can manifest in two main forms: polygyny, where one man marries multiple women, and polyandry, where one woman marries multiple men. Polygamy has historical roots in numerous cultures and is still practiced in parts of Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. Most traditional human cultures permit at least some form of having multiple partners.

    However, in many modern societies, particularly Western ones, polygamy is illegal and very often viewed with moral and ethical disapproval due to concerns about gender equality and welfare of all parties involved. In contrast, in countries where it remains legal and culturally accepted, such as Saudi Arabia and parts of Nigeria, polygamy tends to be seen as a prestigious practice that can strengthen alliances and increase familial bonds.

    Study author Andrew G. Thomas and his colleagues wanted to assess how much interest there is for polygamous relationships in cultures where monogamy is the norm. They were also interested in discovering psychological and environmental factors that might explain such interests, noting that the desire for polygamy could be higher among those who stand to gain more in terms of reproductive success.

  2. AllanfromWales1 on

    > However, the study found that men are six times more likely than women to be open to polygynous relationships..

    Surely the more meaningful comparison would be between men’s willingness to enter polygynous relationships vs women’s willingness to enter polyandrous relationships?

  3. I would imagine women are much more open to polyandrous relationships as well.

  4. menchicutlets on

    I mean, can anyone really be surprised? There are more guys than I’d like to think out there who think of it as ‘ah yes, more women to have sex with!’ than having it as an actual cojoined relationship between all the involved partners.

  5. axe_lumber on

    This makes sense from an ecology and evolution standard when if it doesn’t match modern day morals or is a good idea.

  6. imagicnation-station on

    In this economy, it’s in women’s best interest to be in polygamous relationship. It’s really hard to get by on one income. I’m taking numbers. 🤙😉

  7. WanderingJaguar on

    So, men six times more disgusting than I thought, thanks science!

  8. Accomplished_River43 on

    Ahem, isn’t that because men tend to exaggerate their “victories” while women tend to do exactly the opposite???

  9. MoonoftheStar on

    I’m monogamous and I have loads of friends over the years who’ve jokes about threesomes with their GFs and I’m like you know that opens the door up to her wanting a threesome with a man too right? And you can’t then refuse if she granted you a threesome with a woman in the past. They’re usually like “Nah, man! Nah, man! One key multiple locks” and all that. Anybody who has ever lived in a house with siblings will tell you this is a terrible idea.